Summary

This position serves as the Supervisory Public Affairs Specialist in the Office of Public Affairs and reports directly to the Assistant to the Secretary and Director of Public Affairs. The selected candidate supervises the dissemination of information to the news media and public about DOT programs and policies. Incumbent exercises responsibility for planning, organization, and execution of a comprehensive national news program involving all phases of the Department's public affairs programs.

Duties

Help

As a Supervisory Public Affairs Specialist, you will:

• Plan, organize and implement a comprehensive national news and information program for the Departments operations. you will serve as a technical authority for OST in the dissemination of written and oral information, and advises the Director of Public Affairs providing historical context on policy initiatives, announcements and crises management.
• Provide Departmental-level guidance, policy direction and technical assistance to key management officials for the planning, preparation, production and distribution of information intended for external consumption to be released through the various news media resources.
• Respond, orally and in writing, to queries from the news media, the general public and representatives of commercial, industrial, legislative and other organizations.
• Write talking points, speeches, statements, news releases, and articles for publication as needed. Oversee the posting and distribution of press releases, material on Dot.net, blog posts, compilation of clips for key secretarial initiatives, and modal communications reports.
• Supervise all career staff on public affairs team and directs and participates in the recruitment, selection, career development, and performance evaluation of all career personnel in the Public Affairs office. In completing Supervisory duties the incumbent is responsible for planning, developing, coordinating and executing the personnel management program for the Public Affairs office. This includes: approving or reviewing all personnel actions and providing advice to the Director and Deputy Director for Public Affairs on the need, value and criticality of the requested action; reviewing all performance evaluations to ensure they are equitable throughout the organization, and coordinated with appropriate management approvals; reviewing and approving all training requests to ensure that the organization is consistent in its provision of critical training and employee development programs; and ensuring compliance with appropriate personnel management practices, ceiling limitations, EEO, labor relations and other special personnel programs.

The ideal candidate is a seasoned manager with experience fostering effective relationships with the news media and public while providing oversight for a complex public affairs program.

Requirements

Help

Conditions of employment

• Must meet specialized experience stated in Qualifications section.
• Submit application and resume online by 11:59 PM EST on the closing date.
• Required documents must be submitted by the closing date.

Qualifications

To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must meet the specialized experience qualifications for the grade at which you are requesting consideration.

To qualify for the Grade 15, you must have at least one year of specialized experience equal or equivalent to the GS-14, it must include:

• Experience leading the implementation of a public affairs program, including developing new approaches to enhancing public and/or customer understanding of the programs, policies, and initiatives of a public and/or private organization.
• Experience using oral and written communication skills to foster public and/or customer acceptance of a organizations programs, policies, and initiatives.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAs): Your qualifications will be evaluated on the basis of your level of knowledge, skills, abilities and/or competencies in the following areas:

1. Leadership - Influences, motivates, and challenges others; adapts leadership styles to a variety of situations.
2. Written and Oral Communication - Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience. Makes clear and convincing oral presentations. Listens effectively; clarifies information as needed.

For all types of consideration, experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.

Additional information

The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Transportation and its Operating Administrations from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code § 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R § 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to the Department of Transportation by email at, [redacted]. To learn more, please visit our page at: The Fair Chance to Compete Act | US Department of Transportation

This announcement may be used to fill additional positions if similar vacancies occur within 90 days of the issue date of the referral certificate.

Expand Hide additional information

Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.

Benefits

Help

A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.

Review our benefits

Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.